Little Poet is all about the pause. This is where poetry and plant-based goodness meet. It’s home to the city’s only vegan high tea and is a place to experience mountain tea straight from the hands of Taiwanese farmers. The interior spells calm, with its quiet lines of poetry on the wall, carefully selected books and streams of natural light from the tall front windows.
 
People flock for the aromatic organic coffee, served up in edible takeaway cups upon request. Yes, you can eat your coffee cup! They gather for the finest plant-based cuisine, all made in house using fresh Tasmanian produce sourced from local growers. They come for the delicate pastries and the creative vegetarian and vegan menu.
 
The Little Poet story began far away on the streets of Taichung City in Taiwan. The former Little Poet perched on Ensomheden Island as a bookstore in the Story Hotel and sold only Taiwanese new-generation poets' collections. Outside, set up on a French-styled tricycle, a young man sold vegan house-made desserts on the street. Fast forward to late 2020, founder of the Story Hotel, Paul, and pastry chef Bing have re-created The Little Poet right here in Hobart.
 
Paul found a location that was just right – a big white building with like-minded people above and below. Upstairs is the welcoming yoga studio, Alceme, and down below is the Baan Thai Massage and Day Spa. According to Paul, ‘The entire building is a divine space for mind, body and spirit.’
 
In the heart of Hobart, this patisserie is so much more than a place to eat. It’s designed with community in mind. To welcome creativity. To bring about connection. To celebrate what unites us. It’s a place where poetry workshops and salsa parties and flower arranging classes bring colour to the cityscape. The grand piano conveys notes to lofty ceilings. The space has become home to everything from cooking workshops to handmade craft sessions. The Little Poet supports Tasmania’s diverse arts scene, collaborating with artists to share their works with a wider audience and encouraging new and emerging creatives.
 
The Little Poet is equally dedicated to showcasing Tasmania’s best in the kitchen. A comprehensive range of Tasmanian wines, beers and spirits is on offer and the team uses the best seasonal produce to create their dishes and original desserts. Little Poet has just the right recipe – dinner served alongside music and poetry performances makes for a memorable Hobart eve.
 
Folk wander in alone to read a book and perhaps enjoy a pot of Taiwanese organic mountain tea by the window or a seasonal fruit quinoa salad topped with house-made caramelised walnuts. Or they gather with friends over the signature French-style mille crepe cakes, complete with 16 layers in each. There is much flavour to be enjoyed across the Little Poet menu, from plump burgers (partnering with BeyondMeat) to hearty Buddha bowls.
 
At this community-centric café, creativity flows. Ask the chef to prepare a custom cake with your favourite ingredients, and walk away with a new creation. Feeling bold enough to deliver a performance? Go forth and find your Little Poet stage. Want to find out more about how Little Poet found its way from the streets of Taiwan to Tasmania? Join one of Paul’s tea ceremony workshops to experience the beauty of tea and find out how the Little Poet story all began.
 
6 Victoria Street, Hobart
thelittlepoet.com
0484 397 822
[email protected]
Monday – Friday 7.30am – 3.00pm
Saturday 8.00am – 3.00pm